Poppies | Watercolor by Marney Ward

I love this poppy watercolor by the talented Canadian artist Marnie Ward discovered  here. Finding lovely things is one of the best things about the Internet. I was so happy this morning when someone finally found a photo she had spent two years searching for on my blog via one of my pins on Pinterest. 

I mowed grass until 8:15 last night and I must do some raking now. See you later.

Breezeway Love

Don't you just love this summer house with the wonderful breezeway overlooking the ocean? *

Giraffe Under A Tree

I guess this is what you do when you are a giraffe. Eat all the leaves you can reach and then stand under the tree until someone takes your picture. I love the mist in the background.

Another Small White Kitchen to Love

Oh my, I do love this kitchen too. The slate farm sink, backsplash and countertops are wonderful with the black stove and nickel hardware. Love it a whole lot. It's so well thought out.

White Kitchen to Love

I like it, don't you? Just white and stainless steel with natural wood. Splashes of color via the rug, cookware, food and spices. I could cook up a storm in this room. Image via Architectural Digest.

Zen Yoga Dog

Ha! This is so great!

Prince Philip Then and Now

Prince Philip with his mother Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark (Princess Alice of Battenberg).

Prince Philip was 90 a few days ago. Doesn't he look great?

Prince Philip breaks into his sandwich box for a snack in the shade of a stone house built by Queen Victoria for Prince Albert at Balmoral. Everyone likes to sneak off and eat a sandwich alone it seems.

All images borrowed from Lotie Tea where the kettle's always on.

Flag Day

First US Flag ~ There are many theories surrounding the birth of the first US flag. According to the one that seems most probable, Betsy Ross, an American seamstress, was called upon by three members of a Committee from the Continental Congress in May 1776. George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross, asked Betsy to sew the first US flag, for which they had a design.

At the time, George Washington was the head of the Continental Army. Robert Morris was a very rich man, due to the large amounts of land he owned, and George Ross was an all around, well known man from Philadelphia.

Supporting this theory are records from Betsy Ross giving the exact sequence of how things took place. As mentioned before, in May, she was contracted by the Commitee and within a month or so, she completed what is now known as the first US Flag. The flag consisted of thirteen stripes and thirteen starts forming a constallation, which stood for the first thirteen states of the Union.

A month later, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time. With the new flag and the Declaration of Independence, a new nation was born.

Happy Flag Day.

The View From The Top of The World

Pulpit Rock, Norway Are all the people up there rock climbers? They say you should do something every day that frightens you. Just looking at this photo triggers my fear of heights. 

I'm off to my weekly office meeting this morning. See you later.

Jacob and Rosie | Water for Elephants

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS ~ Jacob (played by actor Robert Pattinson) and Rosie the elephant enjoy a rare moment of tranquility amidst the frantic energy of a circus of a bygone era. Photo credit: ©David James® and ©2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. via Encore Life 

Best Conservatory Ever

I don't know where this wonderful conservatory is located but I dearly love it.*

Webster's Nemesis

There are two chipmunks that live somewhere just outside the front door and they drive Webster wild. I captured this one digitally yesterday morning.

Beautiful iPhone Photo by Chris Carlson

This landscape is called Shenandoah, study 2. You must visit this website The Little Camera and see all of Chris Carlson's beautiful award-winning photographs taken with the little camera on his iPhone. He's the son of The Queen Vee. Victoria leaves the best comments on my blog. Enjoy.

From The Hundred Acre Wood To Midtown – Winnie The Pooh at The New York Public Library

From The Hundred Acre Wood To Midtown – Winnie The Pooh Exhibit in New York Somehow it never occurred to me that the characters in Winnie The Pooh were real [stuffed] animals. They are in New York now. Have you seen them in their own little room?

The one and only original Winnie The Pooh

1950 - author A.A. Milne's son, Christopher Robin, sitting at home with his teddy bear. Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

The original Piglet

The original Tigger 

The original Eeyore

The original Kanga

All of the Original Pooh Characters Together At Last in New York City in their permanent home at The New York Public Library. These are the very animals Christopher once played with in Ashdown Forest (inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood), patches, rips, dirt, and all. Some characters, like Rabbit and Owl, were made up for the stories, while little Roo was lost long ago. Read more.

Minimalist Retreat

A retreat for minimalists who enjoy perfect symmetry. Very nice.*

Inspirational Photo of The Day | Spanish Steps to The Sea

Whenever I have a monumental task facing me like tackling the long grass in my front yard without a lawnmower it always helps me look at something like this. These steps to the sea are located in Aketx, Spain. My riding mower is fine but my push mower isn't. The tractor is much too big to navigate my small front plot of lawn. I'm feeling powerful just looking at these hand-made steps. It's still wet and cool here at the cottage and I'm wearing a sweater. Enjoy your Sunday.

London / Sky / Clouds / Beautiful Photo

©CubaGallery

Winter in Yellowstone

Yesterday it was very hot. When I went to bed it was still 81 degrees so of course I had all the windows open because I dislike sleeping with the A/C on. I am dressed for a real estate showing in about an hour and I have on a down vest. What's with this weather? It is 65 degrees and wet and rainy.

I'm sure it must be hot somewhere so when you get so hot you can't stand it, think of this stunningly beautiful winter scene in Yellowstone. ©laurieexcell

Kitchen w/ No Hanging Cabinets | Love

Really nice kitchen. Agreed?

Rainy Summer Saturday

It rained really hard last night and I had to get up and close all the windows. It was 81 degrees when I went to bed and right now on Saturday morning at 10am it is only 68 degrees. It feels wonderful. Have a great weekend.

Nice use of a pie safe on the sleeping porch for storing linens. Have a great weekend. *

Flowering Trees of Spring

This driveway lined with flowering trees is undoubtedly beautiful any time of the year but especially in the spring.

Get Ready for The Weekend

Wouldn't you love to have this deck overlooking and literally overhanging the stream? I would be afraid to get too close to the edge though...you know my fear of heights. It's so much cooler today after last night's storm. I love having my windows open again. See you later.

Sweet Tea Icebox Tart

This has got to be the best summer recipe I've seen in a long time. Can't wait to make it. It has a gingersnap crust too. Perfect, especially if you're southern. Recipe here.

Severe Storm Watch

A storm is on the way. The weather report says there is a severe storm watch until tonight at 10pm. Webster and I just got back from an after-dinner walk and the trees are really swaying in the wind. There is a free concert in Central Park with the Black Eyed Peas that has been postponed until it blows over. I don't expect anything like the photo above by photographer Dmytro Zaverukha. It's already much cooler and for that I'm thankful. Batten down the hatches and be safe if you are expecting bad weather too.

Big Stack of Antiquarian Books

Is there anything more beautiful than a giant stack of antiquarian books with vellum bindings? I think not.

vellum |ˈveləm|
noun
1. fine parchment made originally from the skin of a calf.
2. smooth writing paper imitating vellum.
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French velin, from veel (see veal).

Country Farm Garden

I love everything about this country farm garden by a hardworkinghippy©.

Beautiful Stone Manor

Lovely approach to an even lovelier Country Manor House. Probably in England, wouldn't you agree? Teleport me there immediately. I'm so ready.*

Old Greenhouse in Denmark

photograph ©thomas:bach:nielsen An ususual and charming old greenhouse in Arhus, Denmark. Like!

Hot Sun | Great Reflection

The next couple of days are supposed to be very hot -- especially tomorrow. I hope I can do some mowing when the back gets shady in the early evening. Stay cool. photo by Richard Lionberger

Black Island in A Sophisticated Kitchen

I think this black island base with the white marble top is elegant, don't you? I love all the drawers. Somehow I think this is a real working kitchen and not a trophy where no cooking ever takes place. *

I'm off to an office meeting early this morning. See you later.

Library with Secret Door

What a wonderful library wall in this old house with a secret opening. Love!

Beautiful Royals | William, Catherine, and Harry

I want to know more about this lovely photo. When was it taken? Before or after the wedding? Where are they going? I miss all of the pre-wedding excitement, don't you?

UPDATE: Here's the story with more pictures thanks to a reader.

I Could Never Have This | Suspended Bed

Because I'd never get anything done. I would read and nap the day away. I wouldn't even have to get up to let the pets in and out because there is even an animal door on this porch. It's probably the reason this back yard isn't better landscaped. The suspended swinging bed keeps the owner from doing any work. 

The Children's Book-Shop and Library Vintage Bookplate

"Infinite Riches in a Little Room" C. Marlowe

Unwanted

Two's company, three's a crowd. What's a fella supposed to do?

Glorious Garden Paths

Here is another slideshow for you from Better Homes and Gardens. I chose this photo because I'm feeling so neat and orderly this morning since I've already vacuumed the living room and the coffee isn't even ready yet. Sadly, I'll probably burn out before noon. 

See you later.

Extraordinary Flower Photo

I wish I knew the name of this lovely flower that is trying to open. Breathtakingly beautiful, isn't it? I had a very nice day and hope you did too. See you tomorrow. xo

Garden Tours | Slideshow

Cultivating the Past ~ In a garden in Nantucket, Massachusetts, a narrow path is flanked by exuberant mounds of colorful flowers, including foxgloves, cranesbills, and peonies. See Slideshow of Garden Tours

Wonderful Summer Sunday Morning

Now let's get all those things we've been buying at the nursery in the ground.